Amelia Williamson’s brave bid to win the England Girls Championship ended in heartbreak yesterday when she was disqualified.

The 17-year-old from Royal Cromer was just two shots off the lead going into what proved to be the final round at Littlestone Golf Club in Kent.

But after impressive efforts of 69 and 73 had left her breathing down eventual champion Bel Wardle’s neck it all went wrong in round three as she slipped to a 79 before being disqualified for accidently signing for an incorrect score.

With high winds buffeting the Kent course, Williamson did well to reach the turn in level par yesterday after nine straight pars, but two dropped shots in three holes then set her back, before a nightmare finish of treble bogey, bogey in atrocious conditions saw her fall away.

Her total of 221 would still have been good enough for a highly respectable third place, nine behind the winner, but then the youngster realised she had made a mistake with her card and reported herself - and all her good work had been undone.

The England youth international’s woes meant Barnham Broom’s Ellie Brown ended up being Norfolk’s highest finisher, with rounds of 74, 78 and 81 leaving her in a tie for 16th. The county’s other qualifier, Amy Taylor of Bawburgh, was tied 25th five shots further back (75, 78, 85).

Wardle defied the conditions to sweep to a seven-shot win at Littlestone.

The brutal weather made it tough to take a stance, let alone hit a ball, but the 17-year-old international shot one-under 72 in the third round – and became the champion when the fourth round was abandoned because of the conditions.

She was seven-under par for 54 holes, while runner-up Martha Lewis (St George’s Hill) finished on level par. Third place, on three over, was taken by Megan Dennis (Woburn) and Annabell Fuller (Roehampton) was a further shot back.

“This was about getting over the line with my first win and it does so much for my confidence,” said the Cheshire golfer.